Navy Surgeon General Shares his Priorities for the Future of Navy Medicine with Staff at Naval Hospital Lemoore

NAVAL AIR STATION LEMOORE, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy Surgeon General conducted a visit to Naval Air Station Lemoore medical facilities April 25.

During the visit, Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, U.S. Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, toured the facilities and met with leadership, staff and Sailors at Naval Hospital Lemoore.

While taking the pulse of providing medical care at NAS Lemoore, Nathan updated them on the current state of the Navy and shared his priorities for the future of Navy Medicine.

"My purpose for this visit is to better understand the challenges you are facing and to examine how we will provide medical care in the future," said Nathan. "We need to look hard at how we will provide medical care to the warfighter."

Nathan and Navy Medicine Force Master Chief Sherman Boss conducted all-hands calls with Naval Hospital Lemoore Sailors and staff.

"We are here today because our jobs are to support you in your jobs," said Nathan. "We want to give you an update on what's going on in your Navy medical community and to hear your concerns. Force Boss and I want you to be candid with us so we fully understand your concerns and challenges."

Nathan thanked the Sailors and civilians for ensuring the medical readiness of operational forces. He reiterated Navy Medicine's priority is to ensure Sailors and Marines are ready to deploy. He also noted that Navy Medicine is unique because it is the only military medical community that provides medical care to Sailors and Marines above the sea, below the sea, on the sea and on the battlefield.

"Thank you for your role at this pivotal naval air station," said Nathan. "This installation is key to providing training and air superiority for our naval aviation community. Your role in keeping those planes flying off of aircraft carriers around the world is critical to our national security. You are making a difference."

To the medical professionals at Naval Hospital Lemoore, being recognized by the Navy's senior medical officer validated the significance of their role at the air station.

"It is a great testament to the Sailors at Naval Hospital Lemoore to have the surgeon general of the Navy and the Force master chief come here to meet us," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Angela Keller, directorate leading petty officer, director of nursing services and surgical services. "Not only are we keeping Sailors ready to go to sea, but we are also taking care of their families while they are deployed."
Nathan expressed his appreciation to the Sailors and staff for continuing to serve."

"I want you to hear it directly from me that the reason I get up every day is because of you," said Nathan. "You can hold your head up high knowing that you are part of the most professional military organization, and I am extremely proud of you."

Naval Air Station Lemoore is the Navy's newest master jet base, flying F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft. Commissioned in 1961, the air station supports the U.S. Pacific Fleet and its mission to train, man and equip west coast strike fighter squadrons.

As the Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Nathan leads 63,000 Navy Medicine personnel that provide health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/local/mednews/.